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A1 prided itself on not being a micronation based entirely virtually, but existing mainly in the physical world, through such activities as military exercises, government meetings and government projects. It officially "moved away" from the MicroWiki Sector in November 2010, following a dispute within the Organisation of Active Micronations between Gordon Freeman, founder of A1, and Sebastian Linden over the latter's use of the former's real name. However, for all intents and purposes this "move" was purely symbolic, with A1 maintaining close ties with the MicroWiki Sector until its dissolution, later also forging ties with the Micras Sector.

Freeman left micronationalism on 13 May 2012 after another dispute regarding the use of his real name, this time with George Cruikshank. After a resultant lengthy period of inactivity, A1 collapsed in August 2012.

Etymology

The name 'A1' stems from the original territory claimed by A1 and where the Pprit Revolution took place. As A1 originated from a classroom joke towards the end of 2007, the original name for the nation was simply "A1", coming from the name of the classroom (A1). However, following the Revolution, the decision was taken to add the prefix "Most Glorious People's Republic of", by the order of Chairman Pprit, and this was carried over into the new Federated Republics in 2010.

History

A1, being on the continent of Australia, was previously inhabited by the indigenous population up until the late 1800s. After the development of the area in the mid 1900s, A1 was created by the urban sprawl of Melbourne.

The main turning point in the history of A1 was the Great Pprit Revolution, where former Chairman Pprit headed a revolution, and declared A1’s independence on 1 January 2008. Just a few days later the government was established, the Constitution and Bill of Rights written and authorised, and territories secured.

In November 2011, James Wilary became First Secretary of A1 and Sam Kirby became Prime Minister, after their two parties, in a coalition, won the election of the same month. This was the first time in over two years that such a drastic change in the leadership of the nation had taken place.

After the departure of Gordon Freeman in May 2012, Wilary, Kirby and other A1 citizens took over the running of A1. However, within a few months, all republics had seceded, and governance of Lichthalzen had ceased. This rendered the FRA1 unofficially dissolved by the end of August.

As a federation, A1 accepted applications for new constituent republics, especially from existing micronations. Since its inception in November 2010, the FRA1 was comprised of a total of seven separate republics (excluding the fictional republic, the Republic of Pontus). Each republic had relative freedoms and was headed by a premier, who was also a member of the federal cabinet.

The first Prime Minister was Dame Mars McTavish, appointed on 29 October 2010 as the FRA1's first female to be elected to a head of state or head of government position. She was also favourite to win the November 2010A1 Elections, which were delayed as a result of the eruption of Mt. Merapi in Lichthalzen. The elections were held in late November, but as there was only one candidate per seat, actual voting did not take place.

In November 2011, elections were held in which then First Secretary, Gordon Freeman, was replaced by James Wilary, and Mars McTavish was replaced as Prime Minister by Sam Kirby. For the first time since August 2009, Freeman did not hold the position of either head of state or head of government.

Law and order

The Judicial Branch in A1 was separated from the legislative and executive branches, to ensure what was commonly referred to as a separation of powers. This ensures that A1's justice system was fair and independent. The High Court of A1 was the highest court in A1, and dealt with all judicial and legal matters. It never held a formal sitting.

Military

A1 maintained a small non-standing military force. Total numbers in the armed forces were, at their peak, around 70, as conscription at the age of 16 into the Red Guard was in force.

The A1DF (A1 Defence Force) was headed by the Supreme Headquarters of the Armed Forces (SHAF), which was headed by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, constitutionally the First Secretary. However, in reality, the commander of the A1DF was the General Officer Commanding (GOCA1DF), the last one AIRCM James Wilary.

The A1DF was only mobilised twice in its history, the most recent being the Great Patriotic War.

It also had a separate branch in A1's Micras territory, the Republic of Pontus, it being fictional. It housed the entire A1 Navy, a separate army and a separate air force.

Geography and climate

A1 was approximately 9 square kilometres in area, comprising of six republics.

Natural hazards of A1 included:

High winds

Extreme temperatures

Severe electrical storms

Volcanic eruptions

The now infamous Great Window Opening Tornado Disaster of 2008 was particularly devastating, with over 15 sheets of paper blown across New Central and one citizen receiving an incision on their arm, amongst the many other terrible effects of the disaster. A public holiday to remember the disaster was held on 23 March, the day that this terrible disaster struck.

In 2010 A1 suffered its first major natural disaster with the Indonesian republic, Lichthalzen, falling victim to a volcanic eruption in neighbouring Indonesia. Numerous citizens were injured by falling ash during the disaster and it is thought to be one of the worst micronational natural disasters of all time.

Republics

A1 consisted of various republics, spread across three continents. Republics elected a premier to represent them in Cabinet, as well as participating in federal elections, consisting of Members of the Chamber (MCs). Each republic was permitted to institute a government and/or legislature as it saw fit, so long as it did not violate any laws or the constitution of A1. As specified in the A1 Constitution, no republic was permitted to raise its own separate military force without the consent of the First Secretary, with the exception of A1's Micras republic, the Republic of Pontus.

A1 Weather Bureau

The A1 Weather Bureau provided weather information for A1, including weather warnings, rainfall and udometer readings. It was inactive for some time, due to damaged weather instruments. The A1 Geographic Society also provided limited geographic information on A1 and sent out numerous expeditions to such places as the Victorian Alpine Region.

Education

Education of A1 citizens was not within A1's realistic scope to provide such services.

Customs

It was considered polite to shut doors behind you, especially on cold mornings.

Media

A1 Broadcasting Commission logo.

Owing to the size of A1, there was only one A1-specific news provider, the A1 News Service, or A1NS. It also provided news from all the republics. It was resurrected in August 2012 by Gordon Freeman to provide independent micronational news coverage, no longer associated with A1 in any way, and published articles on the MicroWiki and Micras sectors until April 2013.

In September 2009, the A1 Broadcasting Commission was established. It, similar to the A1 News Service, was funded by the government and maintained YouTube and Livestream channels.

The arts

Although having much musical and artistic talent, A1 did not have a performing arts centre or artistic academy, despite plans to do so.